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More Brunswick County, Virginia Records

The last post featured four Brunswick County, Virginia deeds sent by the webmaster of the Witcher Genealogy blog. Below are additional records from Brunswick County, also sent by the same astute researcher. These records are crucial to our understanding of the Fips or Phips or Phipps family in this county of pivotal importance.

The following will make more sense if studied in connection with the last post. The present post can be viewed as a continuation of that post.

27 May 1767, Order Book 10, p. 368

Ordered that Lazarus Williams pay unto Joseph Phips Eight Hundred Pounds of Tobacco for thirty two Days Attendance as a Witness for him against Richard Johnson

Lazarus Williams was presumably related to the Sarah Williams who Mrs. Howard Woodruff says married Joseph Phipps. Joseph was the focus of her 1972 book.

A Brunswick County deed dated 20 November 1790, from Deed Book 14, p. 636 (according to an online abstract) was from Owen Myrick to Samuel Frances for 180 acres. That deed was witnessed by, among others, Lazarus Williams and Joseph Phipps, and proven later by the oaths of, among others, “Lazarous” Williams and Joseph Edwards. Other persons named Edwards are also mentioned; this is a name which recurs frequently as an associated family.

Lazarus Williams was appointed overseer in 1738 of a road between the Nottoway and Meherrin Rivers.

A 1744 deed of gift in Isle of Wight County, according to an online transcription, is from Nicholas Williams and his wife Anne. Mentioned is “my son” Lazarus Williams,” who was to receive a plantation and land in Brunswick County, along with a negro boy Anthony. The plantation and land were to be shared with Richard, brother of Lazarus.

A bill of Sale between [blank] Fipp of the one part Thomas Clanton of the other part was acknowledged by the said Fipp’s & ordered to be recorded.

The clerk responsible for this page appears to have perhaps been a bit lax, since many of the surnames are preceded by blanks for given names which were never filled in. In addition, the person in question was referred to as “Fipp” and as “Fipp’s,” with no indication of who he was.

On the other hand, Thomas Clanton was discussed in the last post, in connection with the 1768 deed to him and from Joseph Phips. That deed was dated 25 January 1768, and Joseph had until 16 January 1773 to pay back Clanton, or else Joseph Phis would lose a substantial number of livestock in addition to a slave, furniture, and “working Tools of all Sorts” – all for just £100.

12 September 1769, Deed Book 12, p. 208

[in margin at upper left, page number:] 208 . . .

An indenture of feoffment between William Ray and Ann his wife Baker Ray and Lucy his wife of the one part and Joseph Phips of the other part was acknowledged by the said Rays and their wifes [sic; or wife?] the said Ann and Lucy being first privily examined as the law directs and ordered to be recorded

The Rays (also Wrays) were discussed in the last post. In addition, the record of 23 October 1769 (below) refers to these same Rays and evidently this same “indenture of feoffment.”

No special knowledge of period real estate law is claimed by this blog. Various sources connect feoffment with the concept known as “livery of seisin,” with “livery” having nothing to do with horses but rather pertaining to “delivery.

If the reader is interested in pursuing this subject, there are plenty of online sources on feoffment accessible by searching with such keywords as “feoffment” or “livery seisin” which might eventually yield an understanding. Many sources, however, appear either to ramble on and on about archaic medieval customs or to discuss the matter in extreme legalese.

One thing which does appear to be immediately clear is that, as one would expect, the use of the feoffment or enfeoffment method of land transfer became gradually less popular and appears to have died out sometime around the time of the Revolution or shortly thereafter. The “bargain and sale” method was the more common method.

10 April 1770, Order Book 10, p. 252

[in margin at upper left, page number:] 252 . . .

Ordered that Matthew Parham William Martin Robert Bailey and John Mitchell or any three of them being first sworn before a justice of the peace do appraise in current money the Slaves if any and personal estate of William Phips decd [sic; deceased] and return the appraisment [sic; appraisement] to the court

See also 23 April 1770, below.

23 April 1770, Order Book 11, p. 252

[in margin, page number:] 252 . . .

[body of text]

On the Motion of Joseph Phips who made oath according to law certificate is granted him for obtaining letters of administration on the estate of William Phips decd [sic; deceased] giving security whereupon the said Joseph together with Elisha Clarke his security entered into [or unto?] and acknowledged their bond in the penalty of Ł100 for the said Josephs due and faithful admin. [“admin” with tilde indicating abbreviation for “administration”] on the said decedents estate

Ordered that Matthew Parham William Martin Robert Bailey and John Mitchell or any three of them being first sworn before a justice of the peace do appraise in current money the Slaves if any and personal estate of William Phips decd [sic; deceased] and return the appraisment [sic; appraisement] to the court

Elisha Clarke or Clark appears to have married Mary Hardaway, a widow, in 1783, and Hardaway is another one of those recurring associated surnames, as is the Clark surname. When Elisha Clark wrote his 1794 will in Brunswick County, he referred to his land in Warren County, North Carolina. This the county which was discussed in the last post, and which was created from Bute County, which then became extinct. Joseph Phips owned land there in the 1770s.

Also mentioned in that will, according to an abstract, are John Williams and Phillips Williams, apparently as adjacent landowners. Joseph Phips is supposed to have married Sarah Williams.

A 1791 Brunswick County deed is to Elisha Clark, and was witnessed by a “Hardiway” (Hardaway) and a Rawlings (also Rollins, etc.). These are associated names which have been discussed in previous posts (especially Rawlings).

Matthew Parham, mentioned above as an appraiser or potential appraiser, was of St. Andrews Parish, later Meherrin, in Brunswick County and shows up in various Brunswick County records. When he died in or shortly before 1756, the administrator of his estate was a family member with a North Carolina connection: James Parham of Northampton County, North Carolina.

Northampton is adjacent to the Warren County we’ve been discussing, and is adjacent to the Virginia line. Estate records pertaining to the Matthew Parham estate (see same link) were witnessed by members of the “Rieves” (Reeves) family: Timothy Reives and George Rieves.

Various past posts have referred to the 2-volume set by Heinegg titled Free African Americans of North Carolina, Virginia, and South Carolina. He mentions that a John Sweat, labeled mulatto in at least one record, “other free” in another record, bought some books and a table from the Matthew Parham estate in Brunswick County.

William Martin, also mentioned as a potential appraiser, was presumably the person of that name (or a relative of the same) who left a 1762 will in Brunswick County. That will was witnessed by a Williams (Jonathan Williams). Again, Joseph Phips married a Williams. Another witness was Robert Briggs, and we discussed Briggs Goodrich in the last post.

Early Virginia families frequently used surnames of associated or related families when selecting given names for their children. Further, an orphan named John Martin, Jr. in Chesterfield County, Virginia, who is assumed to be in the same family, chose a Gray Briggs as his guardian.

Children of William Martin are said to have later moved into Orange County, North Carolina.

John Mitchell was also named as a potential appraiser. Someone of that name left a will quite a bit earlier – in 1745 – in Brunswick County, referring to himself as a planter of St. Andrew’s Parish. Later, a 1785 deed to John Mitchell mentions Brunswick County land adjoining a Harris (Nathan Harris). Three Harrises witnessed the deed, including Howell Harris. Howell Harris is supposed to have married a daughter of Briggs Goodrich, who was discussed in the last post.

An inventory and appraisment [sic; appraisement] of the estate of William Phips decd [sic; deceased] was returned and ordered to be recorded

Who this William Phips was is, of course, not stated here. Mrs. Howard Woodruff, in her book on Joseph and his descendants, refers to a William Phipps of Brunswick County who she couldn’t place. She said that he married Nancy James in 1796, however, so obviously this couldn’t be him. Another William was a grandson of Joseph through his son Benjamin, but he would not have been born early enough.

The William here appears to have recently died in 1770. Assuming he was of full age, he could possibly have been a brother of the John Fips or Phips who married Tabitha, who were likely parents of the Joseph whose birthdate was estimated by Mrs. Woodruff to be perhaps around 1735.

Of course, this is conjectural, but the ages suggest the potential and largely hypothetical scenario that could be outlined as follows:

I. Unknown Phips or Phipps

A. John Fips or Phips, born perhaps around 1700-1710 or so, married Tabitha

2. Samuel Phips, Sr., who appeared with Samuel Phips, Jr. about 1781 in Montgomery County, Virginia

a. Samuel Phips, Jr. of Montgomery County, Virginia, then Wilkes County, North Carolina, then Ashe County, North Carolina (probably all the same place, just redefined), married Elizabeth (“Betty”) Reeves

3. Joseph Phips or Phipps, born perhaps about 1735, who appears in Brunswick County records with Tabitha (#A, above) after the death of her husband John

4. Benjamin Phipps or Phips of Albemarle Parish, Sussex County

5. James Fips or Phipps, who shows up in various records as we’ve discussed

B. William Phips of Brunswick County, born perhaps around 1700-1710 or so, died about 1770

A close relationship between Joseph and William is implied by the record of 23 April 1770, above.

2 October 1770, Order Book 11, p. 299

[Drury?] Burdge plt
against
Joseph Phips Deft
In Case

This day came the parties by their attornies and the defendant prays and has leave to Imparte until the next Court and then to plead –

Drury Burge is discussed under 26 February 1772, below.

6 August 1771, Order Book 11, p. 387

An appraisement of the Estate of William Phips being returned is Ordered to be Recorded

An account of Sales of the Estate of William Phips being returned is Ordered to be Recorded

25 February 1772, Order Book 11, p. 470

[in margin at upper left, page number:] [?]70 . . .

Ordered that William Harr[up?] pay unto Joseph Phips eight hundred pounds of Tobacco for thirty two daies Attendance at this and former Courts as a Witness for him against William Boswell & Elizabeth his wife

The “Harr[up?]” name is repeated several times, since he had to pay others as well. Could this be “Harruss,” with a fancy double-S at the end?

On the other hand, someone else in an online discussion forum post referred to a Brunswick County mortgage from William “Harrup” to Elisha Clark, and states that the name is also represented as “Harp.”

This Elisha “Clarke” was security in 1770 when letters of administration were granted to Joseph Phips as administrator of the estate of William Phips in Brunswick County, as discussed above.

26 February 1772, Order Book 11, p. 482

[Drury?] Burdge plf
against
Joseph Phipps Deft.
In Case –

This day come the parties by their attornies and the Defendant saith that he is [page break] not guilty in manner and form as the Plaintif against him hath complained and of this he putteth himself upon the Country and the plaintif likewise Therefore the Tryal of the Issue is refered til the next Court.

It seems that the name “Burdge” also appears in records as “Burge.” In an article in The Southside Virginian (Vol. 8, No. 1, January 1990, p. 63), the will of Thomas “Burgh” of Prince George County in 1752 is discussed. Notation is there made that the will was found in Amelia County in connection with a lawsuit in which the surname was represented as “Burge.” Perhaps this is the same name.

The name Drury Burge also appears as plaintiff in a Lynchburg City chancery case dated 1818. Among the surnames involved was Terry, which name also appears in records connected with the estate of John Fips or Phips who died in 1768 and who left Tabitha as widow.

23 March 1772, Order Book 11, p. 516

An Indenture of bargain and Sale between William Ray Jun. [or Junr.?] of the one part and Tabitha Phips of the other part was proved by the Oaths of John Randle, Barnet Randle and Joseph Phips three of the Witnesses thereto and Ordered to be Recorded –

Of course, this demonstrates the relationship between Tabitha and Joseph. The Ray or Wray family was discussed in the last post, which concerned 4 Brunswick County deeds.

As far as the Randle family is concerned, a Josias Randle was ordered in 1733 in Brunswick County to help clear a road, along with a Reeves (William Reaves). We’ve noted Reeves connections numerous times. Clement Read, mentioned in connection with the estate of Tabitha’s late husband John Fips or Phips, was appointed surveyor of the same road.

The 1771 deed we discussed in the previous post was from this same William Ray, Jr. to this same Tabitha “Fips.” In that deed, William Ray, Jr. was referred to as being of Johnson County, North Carolina, and Tabitha was of Meherrin Parish in Brunswick County, Virginia. That deed was witnessed by John Randle, Barnett Randle, Benja. Whealer, William Ray, and Joseph “Fips.”

Then in the 1776 deed we discussed in the last post, from Tabitha “Phips” to Joseph “Phips” in Brunswick County, one of the witnesses was a Randle Woolsey. In this era, it was extremely common for given names to derive from associated surnames. For that reason, Randle Woolsey’s given name can be presumed to have probably come from association with the Woolsey family, with likely an intermarriage somewhere along the line. We discussed the Woolsey in the last post (and other posts).

The Randle name also comes into play in various partial and not entirely clear online abstracts of a 1781 Brunswick County deed in which James Upchurch bought land. That land adjoined the land belonging to Beverly Randle. The deed was witnessed by James Fips and, apparently, Elizabeth Fips, who we know from other records to have been his wife.

The deed was also witnessed by Absolom (Absalom) Bennett, who was discussed in the last post. When James Upchurch made his will in 1784, he mentions land referred to as “Phipp’s land,” and the will was proven by men who included James Phipps and Meredith Poythress.

James bought land from Meredith Poythress the same year, and there are various Poythress connections and associations involving the Phips and Reeves families, and with both the Randle family and with Douglass (Douglas) Wilkins, the man who Joseph Phips was involved with in Bute (later Warren) County, North Carolina land deals.

By Consent of the Parties It is Odered that John Clark, William Evans, and Scarborough Penticost do Arbitrate all matters in difference between them in this Suit, and that their Award therein is to be made the Judgment therein and the same is Ordered accordingly.

We’ve mentioned in past posts that George Reeves was the father in law of Samuel Phipps or Phips, and that both men lived in Wilkes County, North Carolina prior to Samuel appearing in Ashe County, North Carolina records with George Reeves then appearing in adjacent Grayson County, Virginia from 1800 on. (The change in place designation was probably only the result of county redefinitions.)

While George Reeves was living in Wilkes County, North Carolina, he was named in a Halifax County, Virginia deed as an Eppes or Epps heir. Heinegg refers to what appears to be this same Epps family as going sometimes by Evans, apparently because of an illegitimacy.

Here is an Evans involved as an arbitrator in this case involving Joseph Phips, along with two other men, John Clark and Scarborough Penticost (Pentecost). We’ve already discussed the Clark or Clarke surname.

Scarborough Pentecost of Brunswick County is said to have been born in 1737 and to have died in 1795. One of his sons, another Scarborough Pentecost, is suspposed to have died in 1803 in Charlotte County, Virginia, the same county associated with the John Fips estate in 1768.

The elder Scarborough is presumably the one who left a Brunswick County will in 1795. As mentioned elsewhere in this post, 18th century Virginia families often derived given names from surnames of associated families. Another record in this post (23 November 1773) refers to a Lewis Scarborough, demonstrating that there was a Scarborough family in the area. As a result, it can be assumed that the given name Scarborough in Scarborough Pentecost very likely came from association or intermarriage with the Scarborough family.

23 August 1773, Order Book 12, p. 383

Ordered that Drury Burdge pay unto William Boswell two hundred pounds of Tobacco for eight Daies attendance at this and former Courts as a Witness for him against Joseph Phips. –

Ordered that Drury Burdge pay unto Elisha Clarke three hundred Pounds of Tobacco for twelve Daies Attendance at this and former Courts as a Witness for him against Joseph Phips. –

Druiry Burdge and Elisha Clarke have already been discussed. The name Drury Burdge also shows up in records of the period in Dinwiddie County. Some Virginia records refer to him as Drury Burdge, but other sources refer to him as Drury Burge.

Genealogical web pages without identifying primary sources say that he was born in 1749 in Virginia, that he married Elizabeth Dunn in Sussex County, and that he died in 1796 in Charlotte County.

After he died, a Virginia legislative act was passed in 1802 to sell land for taxes that he had owned in Charlotte County. Again, this is the same county where probate records regarding John Fips, dated 1768, were found.

The Library of Virginia indexes an 1818 Lynchburg City chancery case in which Drury Burge is referred to as plaintiff. Again, the Drury Burge of our discussion died supposedly in 1796 and certainly by 1802, but the case, as indexed, includes or references a 1796 will of Drury Burge of Charlotte County, Virginia. One of the surnames discussed in the case is Terry, which comes to play in records regarding John and Tabitha Fips or Phips.

The name Elisha Clarke also appears in Goochland County with surnames which also appear in Brunswick County, but it isn’t clear if it’s the same person or even related.

24 August 1773, Order Book 12, p. 386

[in margin at upper left, page number:] 386 . . .

Drury Burdge Plt
against
Joseph Phips Deft.
In Case [?]

23 November 1773, Order Book 12, p. 480

L[ewis?] Scarborough Plt.
against
Joseph Phips Defendant
In Debt

John Jones comes into Court and undertakes for the said Deft [i.e. defendant] that in Case he is C[as?]t in the two Actions aforesaid, that he shall pay the Costs and Condemnation of the Court or [shall?] Render his Body to the Prison of our Sovereign Lord the King Execution [possibly another word, faint] for the same as that he the said John will do it for him whereupon the said defendant prays and has leave to imparte untill the next Court and then to pleade –

We’e noted a number of Jones connections in various posts, but of course that’s a common name. A 1911 article in the William and Mary Quarterly refers to “a prominent” Brunswick County family named Jones, with as its patriarch a certain John Jones who was a member of the court in 1765 and a burgess in 1772. One of his daughters married a Claiborne (another of those associated names we’ve been dealing with).

A patent was issued in 1760 in Brunswick County to John Jones, and that land was later owned by a William Cocke of Lunenburg County. Cocke is another of those associated names we’ve discussed on various occasions. Another deed involving him (same link) was witnessed by a Tatum, and the Tatums were closely associated with the Reeves and Epps families.

A cursory glance at Internet records and claims seems to suggest that John Jones may have been the individual known as “Hellfire Jones.”

Lewis Scarborough is presumably the person of that name who wrote a Brunswick County will dated 15 February 1797. He was of St. Andrews Parish.

8 July 1777, Order Book (13?), p. 160

An Indenture of Bargain and Sale between Tabitha Phips of the One part and Joseph Phips of the other Part was proved by the Oaths of Briggs Goodrich Randle Woolsey and Martha Bennett Witnesses hereto and is Ordered to be Recorded –

“Bargain and sale” was another land transfer method which was much more common than the feoffment method discussed elsewhere in this post. Briggs Goodrich was discussed in the last post, along with the Woolsey family. Absalom Bennett was also discussed.

Could Martha Bennett have been the person later referred to as Martha Duncan of North Carolina? She is mentioned as such in the 25 October 1790 case of Absolem Bennett v. Benjamin Phipps, Robert Westmoreland, and Joseph Phipps (Order Book 15, p. 432, according to online abstracts).

23 August 1777, Deed Book 12, pp. 263-264

[in margin at upper left, page number:] 263 . . .

[in margin farther down:]
Phips &[?]
to
Davis jr.

[body of text:]

This Indenture made the Twenty Third Day of August in the Year of our Lord Christ One Thousand Seven Hundred and Seventy seven Between Joseph Phips and Sarah Phips his Wife of the County of Brunswick of the One Part and Robert Davis junior of the other Part Witnesseth that the said Joseph Phips for and in Consideration of the Sum of Fifteen Pounds Current Money of Virginia to him in Hand paid by the said Robert Davis the receipt whereof I do hereby acknowledge Hath Granted Bargained and Sold Aliened and Confirmed and by these Presents doth grant Bargain and Sell Alien and Confirm unto the said Robert Davis and to his Heirs and Assigns forever One Certain Tract or Parcel of Land containing One Hundred Acres be the same more or less lying and being in the said County of Brunswick and bounded as follows, viz., Beginning at a Poplar on Cold Water Thence along Collier’s line to a white Oak, Thence along Baker Ray’s line to a Pine Thence along the said Ray’s line to a black Gum Thence along Tatum’s line to a black Jack Thence along Jeremiah Mize’s line to a Scrub Oak Thence along Joseph Phips’s line to the Begining [sic] To have and to hold the said Tract or Parcel of land and all and every part thereof with all Houses Out Houses Edificies [sic; edifices] Buildings Yards [page break]

[in margin at upper left, page number:] 264

[body of text:]
Gardens Orchards Woods Underwoods Trees Ways Waters Water courses Profits Commodities Hereditaments and Appurtenances whatsoever to the Tract or parcel of Land and Appurtenances belonging or in any wise appertaining and the Reversion and Reversions Remainder and Remainders Rents Issues and Profits of all and singular the said Premises and every part thereof and also all the Estate Right Title Interest Use Trust Possession Benefit Property Claim and Demand whatsoever of the said Joseph Phips and his Wife of in and to the same to the only proper use and behoof of him the said Robert Davis his Heirs Executors Admtors [sic; administrators] and Assigns forever And the said Joseph Phips and Sarah his Wife for themselves and their Heirs the said Tract or parcel of Land with all and singular the Premises with their and every of their Appurtenances unto him the said Robert Davis his Heirs Executors Admtors [sic; administrators], or Assigns forever shall and will warrant and forever defend by these presents In Witness whereof the said Joseph Phips and Sarah his Wife hath hereunto set their Hands and affixed their Seals the Day and Year above Written –

[signed:]
Joseph his + mark Phips (L. S.)
Sarah Phips (L.S.)

Signed Sealed & Deliver’d
In Presence of [signed by witnesses:]
Thomas Ware
Barnet Randle. John Lightfoot.

At a Court held for Brunswick County the 25th Day of August 1777. –

This Indenture was acknowledged by Joseph Phips and Sarah his Wife Parties thereto (She having been first privily examined as the Law directs) and Ordered to be Recorded. –

[signed:]
Test
Peter Pelham junr. Ct. Cur.

This deed was, again, dated 23 August 1777. Regarding Robert Davis, Jr. who bought this land from Joseph and Sarah Phips, an online abstract refers to another deed, dated 16 September 1779, in which Jesse Tatum sells land to Joseph Phips also Phipps, and Robert Davis was one of the witnesses.

That deed is found in Deed Book 14, p. 26. The Tatum family shows up in association with the Rives or Reeves and Eppes or Epps families in various records.

The 1779 deed is more fully abstracted (actually, it looks like a transcription) in another web page. There it is noted that Jesse Tatum of Brunswick County sold to Joseph Phips, also of Brunswick County, 76 acres in that county. The land description refers to “Phips’s old corner,” and was, again, witnessed by Robert Davis (and George Morris).

The text, as transcribed, refers to Joseph “Phips,” but the record was signed by James “Fips” as witness. This, of course, demonstrates what we already knew, which is that there was a family relationship between Joseph and James Phips or Fips.

Regarding John Lightfoot, a 1791 deed from Powell to Powell involved land adjacent to Claiborne Lightfoot and “Phipps line.” The Powell family, in this context, was discussed in the last post, and the Lightfoot and the Claiborne families are associated names with multiple connections.

As noted elsewhere in this post, early Virginia families often derived given names for their children from associated families, and this was presumably the case with the name Claiborne Lightfoot.

Barnett Randle was also discussed in the last post. Thomas Ware shows up in various records including one in Northampton County, North Carolina (1772) with a Brunswick County, Virginia connection and witnessed by a Randle.

25 August 1777, Order Book 13, p. 164

An Indenture of Bargain and Sale between Joseph Phipps and Sarah his Wife of the one Part and Robert Davis junr. of the other part was acknowledged by the said Joseph and Sarah (She being first privily examined as the Law directs) and is Ordered to be Recorded

Women during this period were customarily “privily examined” apart from their husbands to make sure they was not being pressured or coerced by their husbands. The concern was that she should not be subject to “fear, threat or compulsion of her husband” in agreeing to the transfer.

As already noted, Mrs. Howard Woodruff, in her book on his family, identifies this Sarah as being Sarah Williams.

22 April 1782, Order Book 13, p. 460

[in margin at upper left, page number:] 460 . . .

An Indenture of bargain & Sale from James Fipps to James Upchurch Se[nr.? (part cut off)] was proved by the oaths of Absolum Bennett, George Walton & Joseph W[alton? (part cut off)] Witnesses thereto & ordered to be recorded.

Here’s Absalom Bennett again, who was discussed in the last post.

Online abstracts refer to a 1781 deed from James Fips to James Upchurch, Sr., as witnessed by Elizabeth, wife of James Fips. Then the 1784 will of James Upchurch refers to a certain piece of land as “Phipp’s land.” The land adjoined land belonging to Beverly Randle, and we’ve noted the Randle name elsewhere in this post.

Regarding George and Joseph Walton of this record, the Walton name comes into play into various other records, although it’s not clear whether it’s the same family and, in some cases, to what extent those records connect.

A Thomas Walton witnessed a Goochland County deed involving a “John Witch” (probably a variant form of Wyche or Witcher) and George Carrington (another associated surname). A George Walton (who knows, perhaps the same one) witnessed a 1749 Lunenburg County deed involving a Phelps and a Payne (with Payne being another associated name).

Another witness in that record was a Ben Harris – another associated surname which dates back to the Phips and Harris surveying venture involving the immigrant John Phips. Lunenburg was formed from Brunswick.

A Walton whose given name can’t be read but which appears to begin with an “S” is listed as an assistant of Peter Fontaine, Jr., surveyor, in a 1751 ad from Lunenburg County which was placed in the Virginia Gazette. Peter Fontaine, Jr. was directly associated with John Fips or Phips in Lunenburg County before John died about 1768. The 1764 Lunenburg tax list referred to John “Fipps” as overseer in connection with Peter “Fountain.”

John Walton’s plantation was the scene of an auction in 1775, according to the Virginia Gazette. Slaves were sold which were in the possession of Leonard Claiborne (see Claiborne reference elsewhere in this post) which were from the estate of Francis Poythress.

James Phips or Phipps of Brunswick County bought land from a Poythress, and we’ve noted other Poythress connections in various posts. In fact, the James Upchurch will in 1784 was proen by George Walton, Meredith Poythress, and James Phipps.